The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC appeared noticeably faded after being drained, months after it was repainted in a colour officials described as “American flag blue”.
The pool, an important landmark near the Lincoln Memorial, had been part of a major renovation project that cost far more than originally planned.
The repairs were first expected to cost around NZ$2.6 million, but the final bill grew to more than NZ$27 million. Although officials promised the new coating would last a century, pieces of it began peeling within days of the pool reopening in June, and an algae bloom appeared shortly afterwards.
Two companies were hired to carry out the work, including one paid around NZ$25 million to repaint and waterproof the pool’s concrete floor.
Officials said some of the damage was caused by vandalism, and several people were charged in court after allegedly removing pieces of the peeling paint. One man, a former Olympic canoeist, said he had only removed a loose piece of coating after being told to do so by a park worker, and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Authorities said the next step was to repair the damage and refill the pool with water.
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